Archery sensory feedback system and method of use

ABSTRACT

An archery training method includes measuring a load applied to a bow hand holding a bow or applied to a release hand drawing a bow string of the bow, the measuring being performed while the bow string is drawn to a cocked positioned for firing an arrow; comparing through a computer processor the measured load to a predetermined value; and activating an output device to generate a notice based on the comparison between the measured load and the predetermined value.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/380,107, filed Aug. 26, 2016, which is incorporated herein byspecific reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. The Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to archery sensory feedback systems and,more particularly, sensory systems used by archers to detect and compareload and/or movements made or produced by an archer's bow hand and/orrelease hand while shooting a bow.

2. The Relevant Technology

Archery is becoming increasingly popular as a past time and competitivesport. As the popularity grows, there is an increased need for aids toassist archers in perfecting their shot and improving their consistency.It is appreciated that small changes in an archer's form can lead tomajor misses. In order to perform consistently an archer needs to havethe same movements with the bow hand (hand holding the bow) and releasehand (hand releasing the string). One common problem is called handtorque. Hand torque happens when the archer is not gripping the bowcorrectly with their bow hand. The bow hand needs to hold the bow in thesame way and apply the same amount of pressure while holding it steady.Each manufacturer's bow requires the bow to be held slightly differentin order to prevent hand torque. This becomes a challenge even forexperienced archers as they learn to shoot a new bow.

Furthermore, the archer's release hand needs to come to the same anchorpoint and have the same amount of pressure on the archer′s face eachtime the bow is drawn. However, most archers struggle keeping the exactanchor point with the precise amount of pressure because of the strengthit takes to hold the bow at full draw and the many different actionsthat take place during the shot process. When shooting the bow, anarcher can either use their fingers or a release aid to fire thebowstring. Both methods come with their own challenges when learning howto become proficient. However, no matter the method of release asurprise shoot is the goal. If the archer knows when the release willhappen, they will tend to jerk and pull the shot. A good shot also hasgood follow through. When the bow is fired the release hand should gostraight back and around the face. Bad follow through means the releasehand is coming out and away from the face. Poor follow through alsotends to happen as the arm fatigues during a shooting session.

Another common mistake is the way the archer holds the release aid. Onone shot they might hold the release deep in their hand with a tightfist. In the next shot the hand might be more stretched out. Thisinconsistency not only affects the pressure of the hand holding therelease aid but will change the archer's draw length and anchor pointson their face. Furthermore, how and where the archer applies morepressure on the fingers holding the release aid will affect where andhow the release aid attaches to the d-loop (d-loop is where the releaseaid attaches to the bowstring). For example, if on one shot the archerapplies more pressure on the ring finger, the release will tilt up. Ifon the next shot pressure is applied more with the index finger, therelease will be flatter. These differences can give variances in thestring path once the bow string is released. The archer needs to holdthe release aid the same on each shot so the arrow finds the same path.

Pre-loading the trigger of a release aid is also important when firing abow. To be consistent the archer needs to use the same location on thefinger or thumb when firing the trigger. If the archer is inconsistentin their pre-loading and location, then the timing of the shot will beinconsistent. This will promote the archer to be impatient, causinghim/her to jerk the trigger. Other challenges also exist in producingarchery shots that are accurate and consistent.

Accordingly, what is needed in the art are aids that assist archers inaddressing one or more of the above challenges in producing archeryshots that are accurate and consistent.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the present invention, an archery sensory feedbacksystem is provided for use with a hand of a user, the hand having a palmand fingers and having a front side and an opposing back side, thesystem including:

-   -   a glove configured for placement on the hand of the user;    -   at least one sensor disposed on the glove, the at least one        sensor comprising a load sensor or a motion sensor that        generates a use signal during use;    -   a computer processor in electrical communication with the at        least one sensor;    -   non-transitory memory in electrical communication with the        computer processor; and    -   an output device in electrical communication with the computer        processor and configured to generate a notice when activated;    -   wherein the non-transitory memory is loaded with executable code        that when executed by the computer processor performs the        following functions:        -   stores a predetermined value in the non-transitory memory;        -   compares a value generated from the use signal produced by            the at least one sensor to the predetermined value; and        -   transmits a notice signal to the output device based on the            comparison between the value generated and the predetermined            value.

In one aspect, the glove has finger sleeves that are configured toreceive at least some of the fingers of the hand, the at least onesensor comprising a load sensor disposed on a select one of the fingersleeves of the glove so as to overlay a select one of the fingers of thehand when the glove is worn on the hand.

In another aspect, the at least one sensor can comprise a load sensordisposed on the glove so as to overlay at least a portion of the backside of the hand when the glove is worn on the hand.

In another aspect, the at least one sensor can comprise a load sensordisposed on the glove so as to overlay at least a portion of the palm ofthe hand when the glove is worn on the hand.

In another aspect, the at least one sensor can comprise the motionsensor. The motion sensor can comprise an accelerometer or a gyroscopesensor.

In another aspect, the system can further include:

-   -   a mobile computer that includes the computer processor and the        non-transitory memory and is spaced apart from the glove; and    -   a wireless transmitter disposed on the glove and configured for        electrical communication with the mobile computer.

The mobile computer can comprise a smartphone. The mobile computer caninclude the output device. The output device can be secured to the gloveand be configured to be in electrical communication with the mobilecomputer.

In another aspect, the output device can comprise a display, lightsource, vibrator, or sound generator.

In another aspect, the predetermined value can be generated by thecomputer processor and is based on one or more calibration signalsproduced by the at least one sensor.

In another aspect, the predetermined value can be an average of aplurality of values that are based on a plurality of calibration signalsproduced by the at least one sensor.

A second alternative embodiment of the present invention provides anarchery sensory feedback system for use with a hand of a user, the handhaving a palm and fingers and having a front side and an opposing backside, the system comprising:

-   -   a glove configured for placement on the hand of the user, the        glove having a front side that is designed to cover at least a        portion of the front side of the hand and an opposing back side        that is designed to cover at least a portion of the back side of        the hand when the glove is properly fitted on the hand;    -   at least one load sensor disposed on the back side of the glove;        and    -   an electronic controller disposed on the glove and being        configured to process signals from the at least one load sensor.

In one aspect, the glove can comprise:

-   -   a plurality of finger sleeves, each finger sleeve including at        least a portion of the front side of the glove and a portion of        the back side of the glove;    -   a wrist strap; and    -   a tie extending between the plurality of finger sleeves and the        wrist strap, the tie including a further portion of the back        side of the glove, the at least one load sensor being disposed        on the tie or one of the plurality of finger sleeves.

In another aspect, the at least one load sensor can comprise a pluralityof load sensors disposed on the back side of the glove.

In another aspect, a plurality of load sensors can be disposed on thefront side of the glove.

In another aspect, a motion sensor can be disposed on the glove.

In another aspect, a wireless transmitter can be disposed on the glovein electrical communication with the controller.

In another aspect, an output device can be disposed on the glove, theoutput device comprising a display, light source, vibrator, or soundgenerator.

A third alternative embodiment of the present invention provides anarchery sensory feedback system for use with a hand of a user, the handhaving a palm and fingers and having a front side and an opposing backside, the system comprising:

-   -   a glove configured for placement on the hand of the user, the        glove having a front side that is designed to cover at least a        portion of the palm of the hand when the glove is properly        fitted on the hand;    -   a first load sensor disposed on the front side of the glove so        that when the glove is worn on the hand of the user, the first        load sensor overlays at least a portion of the palm of the hand;        and    -   an electronic controller disposed on the glove and being        configured to process signals from the first load sensor.

In one aspect, when the glove is worn on the hand of the user, no loadsensors overlay any of the fingers of the hand.

In another aspect, a motion sensor can be disposed on the glove.

In another aspect, the motion sensor can comprise an accelerometer or agyroscope sensor.

In another aspect, a wireless transmitter can be disposed on the glovein electrical communication with the controller.

In another aspect, the glove can comprise a fingerless glove.

In another aspect, an output device is disposed on the glove, the outputdevice comprising a display, light source, vibrator, or sound generator.

A fourth alternative embodiment of the present invention provides anarchery training method that includes:

-   -   measuring a load applied to a bow hand holding a bow or applied        to a release hand drawing a bow string of the bow, the measuring        being performed while the bow string is drawn to a cocked        positioned for firing an arrow;    -   comparing through a computer processor the measured load to a        predetermined value; and    -   activating an output device to generate a notice based on the        comparison between the measured load and the predetermined        value.

In one aspect, the step of measuring the load can comprise:

-   -   securing a first load sensor to the bow hand so that the first        load sensor is positioned over at least a portion of the palm of        the bow hand; and    -   using the first load sensor to measure the load applied to the        palm of the bow hand holding the bow while a bow string is in        the cocked position.

In another aspect, the step of measuring the load can comprise using aload sensor disposed on a grip of the bow to measure the load applied tothe palm of the bow hand holding the bow while the bow string is in thecocked position.

In another aspect, the step of measuring the load can comprise:

-   -   securing a second load sensor to the release hand so that the        second load sensor is positioned over one of the index finger,        middle finger or ring finger of the release hand; and    -   using the second load sensor to measure the load applied to the        one of the index finger, middle finger or ring finger of the        release hand produced by the bow string being in the cocked        position.

In another aspect, the step of measuring the load can comprise using aload sensor disposed on an archery release aid engaging the bow stringof the bow to measure the load applied to one of the index finger,middle finger or ring finger of the release hand by the bow string beingin the cocked position

In another aspect, the step of measuring the load can comprise:

-   -   securing a third load sensor to a back side of the release hand,        the back side of the release hand being pressed against a face        of the user when the bow string is in the cocked position; and    -   using the third load sensor to measure the load applied to the        back side of the release hand as a result of the back side of        the release hand being pressed against the face of the user when        the bow string is in the cocked position.

In another aspect, the notice can comprise a visual, audio, and/ortactile feedback.

In another aspect, the predetermined value can comprise a value based ona prior measured load applied to the bow hand or the release hand whilethe bow string is in the cocked position.

In another aspect, the method can further comprise:

-   -   measuring a movement of the bow hand or release hand while the        bow string is being drawn to the cocked position or released        from the cocked position; and    -   comparing through the computer processor the measured movement        of the bow hand or the release hand to a predetermined value.

In another aspect, the step of measuring can comprise:

-   -   securing an accelerometer or gyroscope sensor to the bow hand or        the release hand; and    -   using the accelerometer or gyroscope sensor to measure movement        of the bow hand or the release hand while the bow string is        being drawn to the cocked position or released from the cocked        position.

A fifth alternative embodiment of the present invention provides anarchery training method that includes:

-   -   measuring movement of a bow hand or a release hand of an archer        while the archer is drawing a bow string to a cocked position        for firing an arrow or releasing the bow string from the cocked        position;    -   comparing through the computer processor the measured movement        of the bow hand or the release hand to a predetermined value;        and    -   activating an indicator to generate a notice based on the        comparison between the measured movement and a predetermined        value.

In one aspect, the step of measuring movement can comprise:

-   -   securing an accelerometer or gyroscope sensor to the bow hand or        the release hand; and    -   using the accelerometer or gyroscope sensor to measure the        movement of the bow hand or the release hand while the archer is        drawing the bow string to the cocked position or releasing the        bow string from the cocked position.

In another aspect, the step of measuring movement can comprise:

-   -   securing an accelerometer or gyroscope sensor to the bow or to        an archery release aid engaging the bow string of the bow; and    -   using the accelerometer or gyroscope sensor to measure movement        of the bow hand or the release hand while the archer is drawing        the bow string to the cocked position or releasing the bow        string from the cocked position.

A sixth alternative embodiment of the present invention provides anarchery training method that comprises:

-   -   tracking movement of a bow hand holding a bow or a release hand        holding a bow string through the use of an accelerometer or        gyroscope sensor, the tracking being performed while an archer        is drawing the bow string to a cocked position for firing an        arrow or releasing the bow string from the cocked position;    -   displaying on a display device a representation of the direction        of movement of the bow hand or the release hand while an archer        is drawing the bow string to the cocked position or releasing        the bow string from the cocked position based on signals        obtained from the accelerometer or gyroscope sensor.

A seventh alternative embodiment of the present invention provides anarchery sensory feedback system that comprises:

-   -   an archery bow having a grip;    -   at least one load sensor or motion sensor disposed on the bow;        and    -   an electronic controller disposed on the bow and being        configured to process signals from the at least one load sensor        or motion sensor.

In one aspect, the at least one load sensor can be disposed on the gripof the bow.

An eighth alternative embodiment of the present invention provides anarchery sensory feedback system that comprises:

-   -   an archery release aid configured for engaging and releasing a        bow string of a bow, the archery release comprising:        -   a body having finger grips;        -   a catch disposed on the body and movable between a retention            position and a release position; and        -   a trigger disposed on the body, the trigger engaging the            catch such that movement of the trigger causes the catch to            move from the retention position to the release position;            and    -   at least one load sensor or motion sensor disposed on the        archery release aid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the present invention will now be discussed withreference to the appended drawings. It is appreciated that thesedrawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and aretherefore not to be considered limiting of its scope.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an archer firing a bow using oneembodiment of an inventive archery sensory feedback system;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the archery sensory feedback systemcomponents used in FIG. 1 in combination with the bow and an arrow;

FIG. 3 is a front and back view of a hand of the archer shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a release aid shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view of the release aid being used in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a back side of a release hand gloveassembly shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a front side of the release hand gloveassembly shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of the release hand glove assemblyand mobile computer shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a block flow diagram showing one method of using the inventivearchery sensory feedback system;

FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of an alternative embodiment ofthe release hand glove assembly shown in FIG. 8 that does not use amobile computer;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of therelease hand-glove assembly shown in FIGS. 6 and 7;

FIG. 12 is a front and back view of the bow hand glove assembly shown inFIG. 2;

FIG. 13 is a schematic representation of the bow hand glove assemblyshown in FIG. 12 used in association with the mobile computer;

FIG. 14 is a schematic representation of an alternative embodiment ofthe bow hand glove assembly shown in FIG. 13 where the mobile computeris not required;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the bowhand glove assembly shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 16 is an elevated side view of an alternative embodiment of anarchery sensory feedback system where sensors are directly mounted on abow;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of the grip of the bow shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a schematic representation of the archery sensory feedbacksystem shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 19 is an alternative embodiment of an archery sensory feedbacksystem wherein sensors are located on a release aid; and

FIG. 20 is a schematic representation of the archery sensory feedbacksystem shown in FIG. 19.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Before describing various embodiments of the present disclosure indetail, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited tothe parameters of the particularly exemplified systems, methods, and/orproducts, which may, of course, vary. Thus, while certain embodiments ofthe present disclosure will be described in detail, with reference tospecific configurations, parameters, features (e.g., components,members, elements, parts, and/or portions), etc., the descriptions areillustrative and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of theclaimed invention. In addition, the terminology used herein is for thepurpose of describing the embodiments, and is not necessarily intendedto limit the scope of the claimed invention.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which the present disclosure pertains.

Various aspects of the present disclosure, including systems, processes,and/or products may be illustrated with reference to one or moreembodiments or implementations, which are exemplary in nature. As usedherein, the terms “embodiment” and “implementation” mean “serving as anexample, instance, or illustration,” and should not necessarily beconstrued as preferred or advantageous over other aspects disclosedherein. In addition, reference to an “implementation” of the presentdisclosure or invention includes a specific reference to one or moreembodiments thereof, and vice versa, and is intended to provideillustrative examples without limiting the scope of the invention, whichis indicated by the appended claims rather than by the followingdescription.

As used throughout this application the words “can” and “may” are usedin a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), ratherthan the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Additionally, the terms“including,” “having,” “involving,” “containing,” “characterized by,” aswell as variants thereof (e.g., “includes,” “has,” and “involves,”“contains,” etc.), and similar terms as used herein, including theclaims, shall be inclusive and/or open-ended, shall have the samemeaning as the word “comprising” and variants thereof (e.g., “comprise”and “comprises”), and do not exclude additional, un-recited elements ormethod steps, illustratively.

It will be noted that, as used in this specification and the appendedclaims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referentsunless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example,reference to a “sensor” includes one, two, or more sensors. Similarly,reference to a plurality of referents should be interpreted ascomprising a single referent and/or a plurality of referents unless thecontent and/or context clearly dictate otherwise. Thus, reference to“sensors” does not necessarily require a plurality of such sensors.Instead, it will be appreciated that independent of conjugation; one ormore sensors are contemplated herein.

As used herein, directional terms, such as “top,” “bottom,” “left,”“right,” “up,” “down,” “upper,” “lower,” “proximal,” “distal” and thelike are used herein solely to indicate relative directions and are nototherwise intended to limit the scope of the disclosure and/or claimedinvention.

Various aspects of the present disclosure can be illustrated bydescribing components that are bound, coupled, attached, connected,and/or joined together. As used herein, the terms “bound,” “coupled”,“attached”, “connected,” and/or “joined” are used to indicate either adirect association between two components or, where appropriate, anindirect association with one another through intervening orintermediate components. In contrast, when a component is referred to asbeing “directly bound,” “directly coupled”, “directly attached”,“directly connected,” and/or “directly joined” to another component, nointervening elements are present or contemplated. Furthermore, binding,coupling, attaching, connecting, and/or joining can comprise mechanicaland/or chemical association.

To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals (i.e., likenumbering of components and/or elements) have been used, where possible,to designate like elements common to the figures. Specifically, in theexemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures, like structures, orstructures with like functions, will be provided with similar referencedesignations, where possible. Specific language will be used herein todescribe the exemplary embodiments. Nevertheless, it will be understoodthat no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended.Rather, it is to be understood that the language used to describe theexemplary embodiments is illustrative only and is not to be construed aslimiting the scope of the disclosure (unless such language is expresslydescribed herein as essential). Furthermore, multiple instances of anelement and or sub-elements of a parent element may each includeseparate letters appended to the element number. Furthermore, an elementlabel with an appended letter can be used to designate an alternativedesign, structure, function, implementation, and/or embodiment of anelement or feature without an appended letter. Likewise, an elementlabel with an appended letter can be used to indicate a sub-element of aparent element. However, element labels including an appended letter arenot meant to be limited to the specific and/or particular embodiment(s)in which they are illustrated. In other words, reference to a specificfeature in relation to one embodiment should not be construed as beinglimited to applications only within said embodiment.

It will also be appreciated that where multiple possibilities of valuesor a range a values (e.g., less than, greater than, at least, or up to acertain value, or between two recited values) is disclosed or recited,any specific value or range of values falling within the disclosed rangeof values is likewise disclosed and contemplated herein.

The embodiments disclosed herein may include the use of a specialpurpose or general-purpose computer including various computer hardwareor software modules, as discussed in greater detail below. A computermay include a processor and computer storage media carrying instructionsthat, when executed by the processor and/or caused to be executed by theprocessor, perform any one or more of the methods disclosed herein.

As indicated above, embodiments within the scope of the presentinvention also include computer storage media, which are physical mediafor carrying or having computer-executable instructions or datastructures stored thereon. Such computer storage media can be anyavailable physical media that can be accessed by a general purpose orspecial purpose computer.

By way of example, and not limitation, such computer storage media cancomprise hardware such as solid state disk (SSD), RAM, ROM, EEPROM,CD-ROM, flash memory, phase-change memory (“PCM”), or other optical diskstorage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or anyother hardware storage devices which can be used to store program codein the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures,which can be accessed and executed by a general-purpose orspecial-purpose computer system to implement the disclosed functionalityof the invention. Combinations of the above should also be includedwithin the scope of computer storage media. Such media are also examplesof non-transitory storage media and non-transitory memory as referencedherein. Non-transitory storage media/memory also embraces cloud-basedstorage systems and structures, although the scope of the invention isnot limited to these examples of non-transitory storage media/memory.

Computer-executable instructions comprise, for example, instructions anddata which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer,or special purpose processing device to perform a certain function orgroup of functions. Although the subject matter has been described inlanguage specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, itis to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appendedclaims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or actsdescribed above. Rather, the specific features and acts disclosed hereinare disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

As used herein, the term ‘module’ or ‘component’ can refer to softwareobjects or routines that execute on the computing system. The differentcomponents, modules, engines, and services described herein may beimplemented as objects or processes that execute on the computingsystem, for example, as separate threads. While the system and methodsdescribed herein can be implemented in software, implementations inhardware or a combination of software and hardware are also possible andcontemplated. In the present disclosure, a ‘computing entity’ may be anycomputing system as previously defined herein, or any module orcombination of modules running on a computing system.

In at least some instances, a hardware processor is provided that isoperable to carry out executable instructions for performing a method orprocess, such as the methods and processes disclosed herein. Thehardware processor may or may not comprise an element of other hardware,such as the computing devices and systems disclosed herein.

In terms of computing environments, embodiments of the invention can beperformed in client-server environments, whether network or localenvironments, or in any other suitable environment. Suitable operatingenvironments for at least some embodiments of the invention includecloud computing environments where one or more of a client, server, ortarget virtual machine may reside and operate in a cloud environment.

The present disclosure relates to archery sensory feedback systems andrelated methods that may be used to assist and/or train an archer inshooting an arrow from a bow. As discussed below in more detail, theinventive feedback system is designed to assist an archer in improvingaccuracy and/or consistency in shooting a bow by providing data to anarcher relating to loads and/or movement of an archer's hands during theshooting process. The inventive systems and methods can also providecomparative data between preferred loads and/or movements of an archer'shand during firing and actual loads and/or movements of an archer'shands during firing. Based on this information, an archer is able tocontinually monitor his or her shooting process and make adjustments, asnecessary, to optimize accuracy and/or consistency.

Depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a bow 12 and an arrow 14. Bow 12 comprisesan upper limb 16, a lower limb 18 and a riser 20 that extendstherebetween. A grip 22 is formed or otherwise disposed on riser 20. Bow12 also includes a tensioned bow string 24 that extends between limbs 16and 18. In the drawings, bow 12 is depicted as a compound bow. However,the present invention can also be used in association with other bowsused to shoot arrows such as, for example and not by limitation, recurvebows, reflex bows, self bows, longbows, flatbows, composite bows, andtakedown bows.

Arrow 14 generally comprises a shaft 26 that extends between a leadingend 28 and a tail end 30. An arrow head 32 is disposed at leading end 28while fletching 34 is disposed at tail end 30. Disposed at a terminus oftail end 30 is a nock 36. Nock 36 has a groove formed thereon to receivebow string 24. It is appreciated that arrow 14 can come in a variety ofdifferent sizes and can have any number of different arrow heads 32disposed on shaft 26.

FIG. 1 illustrates one example of how an archer 10 shoots arrow 14 usingbow 12. In general, archer 10 holds bow 12 at grip 22 with a bow hand 38and holds bow string 24 with a release hand 40. Archer 10 can hold bowstring 20 by either directly manually gripping nock 36, which isengaging bow string 24, or, as discussed below in more detail, byutilizing a release aid 42 (FIG. 2). Release aid 42 releasably engagesbow string 24 and is held by release hand 40. During use, arrow 14 issituated such that a portion of arrow 14 rests on release hand 40 or ona support portion of bow 12 while nock 36 centrally engages bow string24. Archer 10 then extends bow hand 38 forward, which is holding bow 12,while release hand 40 pulls back on bow string 24, thereby bending bow12 and further tensioning bow string 24. Bow string 24 is withdrawn byrelease hand 40 to a cocked position. In the cocked position, releasehand 40 rests against anchor points on the face of the archer to bothstabilize release hand 40 and facilitate aiming. When bow string 24 isreleased by release hand 40, bow string 24 springs back into its restingposition and consequently transfers a force into arrow 14, therebyshooting arrow 14 out of bow 12.

For purposes of clarity in the below discussion of the inventive archerysensory feedback system, it is helpful to clearly understand theelements of bow hand 38 and release hand 40. For example, depicted inFIG. 3 is a hand 60 that can function either as bow hand 38 or releasehand 40. That is, bow hand 38 can be the right hand or left hand whilerelease hand 40 is the hand opposite bow hand 38. Although only a lefthand is depicted, it is understood that the opposite right hand has thesame elements as the left hand discussed herein. Hand 60 comprises a pad62 that extends from a wrist 63 and also includes five fingers 64 thatproject from pad 62. Fingers 64 include a thumb 65, index finger 66,middle finger 67, ring ringer 68 and pinky finger 69. Hand 60 has aninside face 70 which is the side of hand 60 to which fingers 64naturally bend. Inside face 70 extends from wrist 63 to the tips of eachfinger 64. The portion of inside face 70 on pad 62 is a palm 72. Hand 60also has a back side 74 which is the side of hand 60 opposite of insideface 70 and extends from wrist 63 to the tips of each finger 64.

As discussed above, release hand 40 can use release aid 42 forretracting and releasing bow string 24. Release aid 42 can come in avariety of different types, sizes, shapes and configurations. Some ofthe most common release aids are the wrist strap/trigger, handheld thumbrelease and handheld back tension/hinge. Depicted in FIG. 4 is oneembodiment of a release aid 42 which includes a body 80, a catch 82disposed on body 80, and a trigger 84 disposed on body 82. Catch 82includes a finger 86 that is typically curved or hooked and is pivotablymounted to body 82 so as to be movable between a released position, asdepicted in FIG. 4, where finger 86 is pivoted outward and a closedposition, as depicted in FIG. 5, where finger 86 is pivoted inward. Whenfinger 86 is moved to the closed position, finger 86 can be locked inplace by depressing a switch 87. Tigger 84 is movably mounted on body 80so that when trigger 84 is depressed, finger 86 is unlocked allowingfinger 86 to freely move to the released position.

Body 80 includes an elongated handle 88 having a front face 90 and anopposing back face 92 that extends between opposing side faces 94 and95. A first groove 96 is formed on a first end of front face 90 and isconfigured to receive index finger 66 as shown in FIG. 5. A secondgroove 97 and a third groove 98 are consecutively formed on front face90 toward an opposing second end of front face 90 and are configured toreceive middle finger 67 and ring finger 68, respectively. A projection100 extends from front face 90 between first groove 96 and second groove97 with trigger 84 being disposed on or toward the end of projection100. Trigger 84 projects from back face 92 opposite from first groove96.

During use, finger 86 is manually pivoted from the open releasedposition to the closed position so that finger 86 passes around bowstring 24 at a d-loop 25 and captures bow sting 24 between finger 86 andbody 80, as shown in FIG. 5. Finger 86 is then locked in place. Body 80is grasped by fingers 66-68 curving around and being received withinrecesses 96-98, respectively. In this configuration, thumb 65 isdisposed against trigger 84. Bow string 24 can now be pulled back byusing release hand 40 to pull on release aid 42. The firm grip offingers 64 on release aid 42 makes it easier to pull back and securelyhold bow string 24 in the cocked position.

To facilitate stabilization of release hand 40 and improve aiming of bow12 when using the depicted release aid 42, the retracted release hand 40is orientated so portions of back side 74 of release hand 40 restagainst anchor points on the face or cheek of the archer, as shown inFIG. 1. When it is desired to shoot arrow 14, thumb 65 depresses trigger84, thereby unlocking finger 86 of catch 82. The tension on bow string24 causes finger 86 to move to the released position, thereby releasingbow string 24 and allowing it to propel arrow 14.

Depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 is one embodiment of an archery sensoryfeedback system 50 incorporating features of the present invention andwhich can be used in association with the above discussed archerycomponents. Archery sensory feedback system 50 comprises a release handglove assembly 52 and/or a bow hand glove assembly 54 that each operatein combination with a mobile computer 56.

Depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7 is one embodiment of release hand gloveassembly 52. Release hand glove assembly 52 comprises a glove 110 and atleast one sensor disposed thereon where the sensor comprises a loadsensor(s) and/or a motion sensor(s). Glove 110 can be either a righthand glove, left land glove, or universal glove, i.e., designed to fiteither hand. As discussed below in greater detail, glove 110 can have avariety of different configurations which can cover a variety ofdifferent portions of release hand 40. Glove 110 can be made fromleather, artificial leather, fabric, synthetic/plastic materials such asnylon or soft PVC, elastomeric materials such as rubber or latex, othermaterials or composites of the foregoing. Glove 110 can be singlelayered or multi-layered.

In the embodiment depicted, glove 110 has an interior surface 112 whichbounds a cavity 114 in which release hand 40 can be received and has anopposing exterior surface 116. Glove 110 also has a front side 128 witha front face 117 and an opposing back side 130 with a back face 119.Front face 117 and back face 119 each form a portion of exterior surface116. Front side 128 and front face 117 each overlay inside face 70 ofrelease hand 40 while back side 130 and back face 119 overlay back side74 of release hand 40. Described in other terms, glove 110 includes apad cover 118 that extends over pad 62 of release hand 40 and includesportions of front face 117 and back face 119 and a plurality of fingersleeves 120 that project from pad cover 118. Finger sleeves 120 includea thumb sleeve 122, an index finger sleeve 123, a middle finger sleeve124, a ring finger sleeve 125, and a pinky finger sleeve 126 which eachinclude a portion of front face 117 and back face 119.

Continuing with FIG. 7, load sensors 140A-C are disposed on front side128 of finger sleeves 123, 124, and 125, respectively. Load sensors140A-C can be disposed on interior surface 112 or exterior surface 116of the respective finger sleeves or where the fingers sleeves aremultilayered load sensors 140A-C can be sandwiched between layers of thefinger sleeves. Load sensors 140A-C are positioned so that when glove110 is worn on release hand 40, load sensors 140A-C overlay index finger66, middle finger 67 and ring finger 68 of release hand 40,respectively. Furthermore, when glove 110 is worn on release hand 40 andused in association with release aid 42 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, loadsensors 140A-C overlay body 80 of release aid 42 as fingers 66-68 curlaround to grasp release aid 42. Accordingly, as release hand 40 wearingglove 110 uses release aid 42 to draw back bow string 24, the loadproduced by the tensioning of the of bow string 24, i.e., the load thatis applied to release hand 40, is applied to and sensed by load sensors140A-C.

Load sensors 140 and the other load sensors used herein can comprise anyelectronic sensors that can sense force or pressure. Load sensorstypically act by changing a voltage across some portion of the sensorand/or a current through some portion of the sensor as the sensor issubjected to a force or pressure. Examples of load sensors that can beused herein include transducers, force sensors, pressure sensors, straingauges, load cells, and the like.

Continuing with FIG. 7, load sensor 142 is also disposed on front side128 of thumb sleeve 122. Load sensors 142 can be disposed on interiorsurface 112 or exterior surface 116 of thumb sleeve 122 or where thumbsleeve 122 is multilayered, load sensors 142 can be sandwiched betweenlayers of thumb sleeve 122. Load sensor 142 is positioned so that whenglove 110 is worn on release hand 40, load sensor 142 overlays thumb 65.Furthermore, when glove 110 is worn on release hand 40 and used inassociation with release aid 42, load sensor 142 overlays trigger 84.Accordingly, as trigger 84 is depressed by thumb 65, the load applied bythumb 65 to trigger 84 is applied to and sensed by load sensor 142.

Turning to FIG. 6 load sensors 144A and 144B are disposed on back side130 of finger sleeves 123 and 124, respectively, while one or more loadsensors 146 are disposed on back side 130 of pad cover 118. As with theembodiments discussed above, load sensors 144 and 146 can be disposed oninterior surface 112 or exterior surface 116 of the respective sleevesor where the sleeves are multilayered, load sensors 144 and 146 can besandwiched between layers of the sleeves. As previously discussed, whenrelease aid 42 is used, back side 74 of release hand 40 rests againstthe face or check of the archer when bow string 24 is pulled back to thecocked position. Load sensors 144 and 146 are positioned so that whenglove 110 is worn on release hand 40 and bow string 24 is in the cockedposition, one or more of load sensors 144 and 146 are pressed againstthe anchor points on the face or cheek of the archer. Accordingly, theload applied between release hand 40 and the face or cheek of the archeris applied to and sensed by one or more of load sensors 144 and 146.

It is appreciated that every archer may rest release hand 40 against theface or cheek at a slightly different orientation or position.Accordingly, all load sensors 144 and 146 may not be subjected to a loadwhen an archer is shooting a bow. Furthermore, different ones of loadsensors 144 and 146 may be subjected to loads when different archers areusing release hand glove assembly 52 and different load sensors 144 and146 may be subjected to loads between different shots by the samearcher. Accordingly, by placing load sensors 144 on each of fingersleeves 123 and 124 and placing a plurality of load sensors 146 on padcover 118, release hand glove assembly 52 can be used by multipledifferent archers and can accurately detect at what locations and atwhat force the back side of release hand 40 is pressing against thecheek or face of the archer. In some embodiments, the number of loadsensors 146 can comprise at least or less than 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, or20 load sensors.

Although release hand glove assembly 52 is shown using all of loadsensors 140, 142, 144 and 146, in alternative embodiments release handglove assembly 52 can be limited to using any select one of load sensors140, 142, 144 and 146, any desired combination of load sensors and/ordifferent placement of load sensors. For example, one embodiment ofrelease hand glove assembly 52 may include only load sensors 140 and 144or only load sensors 140 and 142. Furthermore, any select ones or anycombinations of load sensors 140A, 140B and 140C and/or load sensors144A and 144B can be used. For example, one embodiment of release handglove assembly 52 may include only load sensor 140A or only thecombination of load sensor 140B and 144B. Furthermore, the load sensorson glove 110 are in part specifically positioned to be used with thespecific configuration of release aid depicted in FIG. 4. In otherembodiments, the load sensors can be positioned to use with otherconfigurations of release aids or positioned for use with no releaseaids. To that end, it is appreciated that one or more load sensors couldbe positioned on front face 117 and/or back face 119 of each fingersleeve 122-126 or at only one of the foregoing positions or at anycombination of the foregoing positions. Furthermore, any desired numberof load sensors could be positioned on front face 117 and/or back face119 of pad cover 118.

Depicted in FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of one embodiment ofarchery sensory feedback system 50. In the following discussion, archerysensory feedback system 50 will be discussed as comprising release handglove assembly 52 and mobile computer 56. Release hand glove assembly 52is shown as comprising glove 110, as discussed above, and one or moreload sensors 150. The one or more load sensors 150 can comprise any oneof or any combination of load sensors 140A-C, 142, 144A and B, and 146or load sensors at other positions on glove 110 as discussed above.

Release hand glove assembly 52 also includes other electrical componentsthat can be used to transmit signals or values to mobile computer 56that are based on signal generated from load sensor(s) 150. By way ofexample and not by limitation, such electrical components may generallyinclude an electronic controller 152 electrically coupled with loadsensor(s) 150 and a wireless transmitter 154 in electrical communicationwith controller 152. In general, controller 152 receives signals fromload sensor(s) 150 reflective of the load applied thereto, converts thesignals to digital values and then forwards the values to transmitter154. In turn, transmitter 154 wirelessly transmits the values to mobilecomputer 56.

Controller 152 can comprise an analog to digital converter, a microcontroller, a computer processor or other electronics that willaccomplish the objective. It is also appreciated that controller 152 maycomprise non transitory memory, programming code to perform the neededfunction and/or other electronic components as known to those skilled inthe art. Wireless transmitter 154 can comprise a transmitter ortransceiver and the wireless communication can be through any wirelesstechnology such as Wi-Fi, cellular data service, Bluetooth, radiofrequency (RF), optical communication including infrared and laser,mobile satellite communication, and the like. In an alternativeembodiment, in contrast to using a wireless connection, a fixed orremovable hard wire connection 158 can be formed between controller 152and mobile computer 56.

Controller 152 and transmitter 154 along with other desired electricalcomponents can be secured to glove 110 at any location that does notinterfere with load sensor(s) 150 or the use of bow 12 to shoot arrow14. A battery 156 can also be disposed on glove 110 to power theelectrical components thereon. It is appreciated that other electricalcircuitry known to those skilled in the art could be used to process andtransmit signals from load sensor(s) to mobile computer 56 and that suchcircuitry is within the scope of the present invention.

Mobile computer 56 can comprise a conventional laptop computer, cellularsmartphone, tablet computer, handheld computer, or other speciallydesigned computer. Mobile computer 56 includes, in part, a computerprocessor 160, non-transitory memory 162, and an output device 164.Other conventional components are also included. Memory 162 includescomputer executable code stored thereon that when executed by computerprocessor 160 can in part compare a value generated from the signalproduced by load sensor(s) 150 to a predetermined value and thentransmit a notice signal to output device 164 based on the results ofthe comparison. In turn, output device 164 provides a notice, asdiscussed below, that is useful to the archer relative to shooting bow12. Output device 164 can comprise a display screen that displays words,values, symbols, graphics or other desired text; a light source that canturn off and on or emit a certain color or flashing; a vibrator; a soundgenerator or other devices that can generate a differentiating notice.

In one method of operation, archery sensory feedback system 50 cansimply provide measured information to the archer to help the archerbetter understand under what forces he or she is shooting. For example,output device 164 could comprise a screen that simply displays forcevalues generated from each of the different load sensors or from groupsof load sensors. More specifically, load sensors 140 could be used togenerate load values that reflect the force being pulled on bow string24 or load values could be generated for each finger 66-68. Likewise,load sensor 142 could be used to generate the load applied to trigger 84while load sensors 144 and 146 reflect the force applied to the face ofthe archer.

However, one approach to improving accuracy and consistency in archeryis to repeatedly replicate a preferred shot or preferred conditions fora shot. As discussed in the background section herein, exactingconditions must be obtained and maintained for an archer to have aconsistently accurate bow shot. Accordingly, once a preferred stance,bow string draw, hand placement and the like have been established,repeatedly replicating those preferred conditions improves accuracy andconsistency in shooting. The inventive archery sensory feedback system50 can assist the archer in confirming that there is consistency betweenshots or that at least select preferred conditions are satisfied orreplicated. For example, when using release hand glove assembly 52 inconjunction with release aid 42, load sensors 140A-C being pulledagainst release aid 42 generate a signal that relates to the amount offorce being applied to release hand 40. The information is transferredto mobile computer 56 as discussed above where the information isconverted by computer processor 160 to a value that corresponds to theapplied force. In turn, processor 160 can compare the measured force toa predetermined value that relates to a desired force. If the measuredforce is within a predefined range of the predetermined value, processor160 sends a signal to output device 164 to generate a positive notice.In contrast, if the measured value falls outside the predefined range ofthe predetermined value, processor 160 could either send no signal tooutput device 164, could send a signal to generate a negative notice, orcould send a notice providing information on why or how the measuredvalues fall outside of the defined range. Accordingly, based on thenotice generated, the archer knows whether he or she is drawing bowstring 24 at the desired force and can make adjustments, if needed.

The other load sensors can operate in a similar manner. For example,archery sensory feedback system 50 can use information from load sensor142 to determine whether the load applied to trigger 84 is within arange of a predetermined value and information from load sensors 144 and146 can be used determine whether the force being applied to the face ofthe archer is within a range of a predetermined value. Information onthe reported comparison enables an archer to either make adjustments orhave confirmation to continue on shooting in the same way. Where aplurality of load sensors are being loaded, it is appreciated that thecomparison between the measured value and the predetermined value can bebased on an average of the measured values, a high of the measuredvalues, a low of the measured values or by separately comparing each ofthe measured values to a predetermined value. Where a number of measuredvalues are being compared to a number of predetermined values, it isappreciated that a variety of different notice signals may be sent tooutput device 164 and the user may have to scroll between a variety ofdifferent comparison results.

Where output device 164 is located on mobile computer 56, release handglove assembly 52 can be formed using transmitter 154 with no outputdevice being located on glove 110. However, in an alternative embodimentas also depicted in FIG. 8, transmitter 154 can comprise a transceiverand an output device 166 can be disposed on glove 110 and communicatingwith controller 152. Output device 166 can comprise the samealternatives as previously discussed above with regard to output device164. In this embodiment, processor 160 sends a notice signal to outputdevice 166 so that the notice signal is generated directly from releasehand glove assembly 52 for easy detection by the archer.

In addition to monitoring the above applied loads to release hand 40, itis also desirable to monitor movement of release hand 40 during drawingof bow string 24, when bow string 24 is fully cocked, and/or just afterrelease of bow string 24 from the cocked position. For example, it ishelpful to ensure that release hand 40 is stable during the shot andthat there is no jerking or other undesired movement as trigger 84 isdepressed or bow string 24 is otherwise released. To help accomplish theforegoing, the sensors located on archery sensory feedback system 50 canalso comprise one or more motion sensors 170 as depicted in FIG. 8.Examples of motion sensors that can be used include accelerometers whichcan be used to measure acceleration for X, Y, and Z movement andgyroscope sensors which can measure the extent and rate of rotation inspace (roll, pitch and yaw). Other motion sensors can also be used. Forexample, high speed cameras could be mounted on glove 110. Images fromconsecutive frames taken by the cameras could be compared by processor160 to determine movement of glove 110. Stereoscopic cameras can also beused to determine three-dimensional movement of glove 110.

Archery sensory feedback system 50 can be designed with one, two orthree accelerometers, each positioned to measure acceleration in adifferent direction, or with a gyroscope sensor, or with a combinationof a gyroscope sensor and any desired number of accelerometers. Asdepicted in FIGS. 6 and 7, motion sensors 170 are shown disposed onfront face 117 of pad cover 118 and back face 119 of pad cover 118.However, because their location is typically not critical, they can alsobe positioned at other locations. Motion sensors 170 can be attached oninterior surface 112, exterior surface 116, or between layers of padcover 118.

During use, motion sensors 170 can continually track movement of releasehand 40, such as acceleration, direction of movement, rate of rotation,and/or angle of rotation. As previously mentioned, it can be helpful totrack movement of release hand 40 during release of bow string 24 andfor a time period prior to and after release of bow string 24. Forexample, computer processor 160 can be programmed so that motion sensors170 are activated when the load on load sensors 140 exceeds apredetermined amount that is sufficiently high to designate that bowstring 24 is being retracted for a shot. In turn, motion sensors 170 canbe deactivated when the load on load sensors 140 drops below thepredetermined amount which signals that bow string 24 has been releasedfor shooting the arrow.

Processed values which are based on signals produced by motions sensors170 are stored in memory 162. If desired, all of the processed valuesrepresenting movement of release hand 40 between activation anddeactivation of motions sensors 170 can be recorded for use. In anotherembodiment, once the processed values have been recorded betweenactivation and deactivation of motions sensors 170, computer processor160 can detect the point of maximum load on load sensors 140, which isthe point when bow string 24 is fully drawn back. Computer processor 160could then identify or otherwise separate out the processed values thatextend between a predetermined time period prior to and after the timeof maximum load. This subset of stored values could then be used forsubsequent processing.

In any event, once the desired range of processed values is determined,these values can be used to assist the archer. For example, in oneembodiment, the processed values could simply be displayed or printed,such as in a graph or table, by output device 164 so that the archercould see the extent of movement. In an alternative embodiment, theprocessed values could be compared to predetermined values to determineif the processed values are within an acceptable range of thepredetermined values. For example, three accelerometers could beincorporated into release hand glove assembly 50 that measureacceleration in the X, Y, and Z axis during the defined time period. Theaverage values, maximum value, or minimum values for each accelerometercould be compared to predetermined values. In another embodiment, theaverage values, maximum value, or minimum values for all accelerometerscould be summed or averaged and then compared with a singlepredetermined value. Similar types of comparisons could also be donewith or combined with values generated from the gyroscopic sensor.

It is appreciated that there are almost innumerable numbers of differentways in which values generated from motion sensors could be compared topredetermined values. The exact values that are compared is notcritical. What is helpful, however, is when the compared valuesaccurately reflect whether release hand 40 is moving excessivelyrelative to the predetermined value.

As discussed above, in one embodiment of the present invention measuredvalues from the load sensors and/or the motion sensors are compared topredetermined values to determine if shots are being made under desiredconditions. The “predetermined values” can be predetermined numericalvalues that were previously installed in memory 162, can be based onpast experience and loaded into memory 162, can be obtained from aseparate source, such as a table, chart, data base, website, or otherindex or resource and loaded into memory 162, or they can beautomatically generated and loaded into memory 162 based on calibrationshots made by the archer.

For example, depicted in FIG. 9 is a block flow diagram showing oneexample of how archery sensory feedback system 50 can be used toestablish predetermined values based on preferred calibration shots madeby an archer. The flow diagram then shows how the predetermined valuescan be compared to actual values measured during practice shots todetermine if the actual values are within a desired range of thepredetermined values.

Initially, a tally number “n” is selected which corresponds to thenumber of calibration shots that will be averaged to determine thepredetermined values. The tally number is stored in memory 162 and isused in below discussed step 190. The tally number “n” could be 1, 2, 3,4, 5, or any other desired number or at least any of the prior numbers.At the first step 180 the actual tally number n is set to zero. In step182, the archer takes a calibration shot using archery sensory feedbacksystem 50 as discussed above. Actual values of applied load and movementgenerated from load sensors 150 and motions sensors 170 are stored inmemory 162. In step 186 the archer makes a decision based on subjectiveand/or factual information as to whether the shot was good. For example,did the arrow hit the target, was the proper stance used, was the bowstring fully retracted, was the release hand stable, etc. If the answeris no, the archer inputs notice in mobile computer 56 and the actualvalues of the applied load and movement that were stored for the shotare not used. The method then returns to step 182 where the nextcalibration shot is taken. It is appreciated that the input device fordesignating whether or not the shot was good can be part of release handglove assembly 52 or mobile computer 56.

If in step 186 the archer determines that the shot was good, the archerso designates to mobile computer 56 and the actual values of appliedloads and movements that were stored for the calibration shot are savedor otherwise designated for use in calculating the predetermined values.In step 190 the processor determines if the current saved tally numberequals the preselected tally number. If no, the stored tally number isincreased by 1 in step 192 and the method returns to step 182 where thenext calibration shot is taken. If in step 190, the answer is yes, thatmeans that the archer has taken the desired number of good calibrationshots and the load and movement values for all of those shots have beenstored in memory 162. Accordingly, in step 194 processor 190 calculatesthe predetermined value(s) based on the calibration shots and storesthem in memory 162. As previously mentioned, the predetermined value(s)can be a single combined value or multiple separate values. Furthermore,the predetermined value(s) can be calculated in a variety of differentways. By way of example and not by limitation, below is a list of a fewdifferent predetermined values that could be calculated:

1. A separate predetermined value could be calculated for each separateload sensor and each motion sensor.

2. Predetermined values could be calculated for some individual loadsensors and motion sensors and some groups of load sensors and/or motionsensors. For example, a single predetermined value may be calculated forload sensor 142 while a single predetermined value is also calculatedfor all of load sensors 140A-C.

3. A single predetermined value can be calculated which is thecombination of all load sensors.

4. A single predetermined value can be calculated which is thecombination of all motion sensors.

Furthermore, although release hand glove assembly 52 may contain avariety of different load sensors and motion sensors, archery sensorfeedback system 50 could be set to only monitor select load sensorsand/or motion sensors and ignore the others. As such, the predeterminedvalues would only be based upon those sensors that are being monitored.Other predetermined values could also be calculated.

Once it is determined what sensors the predetermined value(s) will bebased on, the predetermined value(s) will typically be an average of therecorded values for the sensors over each of the calibration shots.However, the predetermined value(s) could also be calculated in otherways such as the predetermined value being the maximum or minimumrecorded value of the calibration shots. Other methods of calculationcould also be used.

Returning to FIG. 9, once the predetermined values are calculated andstored in memory in step 194, an archer takes a regular practice shot instep 196 again using the same archery sensory feedback system 50. Instep 198, measurements are taken by the load and motion sensors duringthe practice shot and those measurements are converted to values thatcorrelate with the predetermined values. In step 200, the calculatedvalues based on the practice shot are compared to the predeterminedvalues. In step 202 a signal is sent to the output device to designatewhether or not the comparison was favorable. Set forth below are a fewexamples of how the predetermined value and actual value could becompared:

1. Determine whether the actual value is identical to the comparedvalue.

2. Determine whether the actual value is within in a predefined range of+/− predetermined value;

3. Determine whether the actual value exceeds the predetermined value;or

4. Determine whether the actual value is lower than the predeterminedvalue.

Other ways of comparison could also be made. It is also appreciated thatthe results of the comparison can be reported or otherwise displayed ina variety of different ways. Set forth below are a few examples of howthe results could be displayed:

1. The output device may simply show a signal such as a tone, light,vibration, or display if the comparison was positive and either nosignal or a different signal of the comparison was negative.

2. The output device could show a difference between the actual valueand the predetermined value, such as on a display screen.

3. The output device could show a comparison between actual value andthe predetermined value, such as on a display screen.

4. With regard to sensed motion, the output device may show a depictionor animation of the direction or angle of movement.

Other displays could also be used. Once the results are displayed, themethod returns to step 196 where the next practice shot is taken and theprocess is continued. It is appreciated that the steps outlined in FIG.9 are only one example and that different or modified steps could alsobe used.

In the embodiment discussed above, archery sensory feedback system 50comprises release hand glove assembly 52 used in association with mobilecomputer 56. In an alternative embodiment, however, the processingelements of mobile computer 56 could be implemented directly intorelease hand glove assembly 52 and thereby eliminate the need for mobilecomputer 56. For example, depicted in FIG. 10 is an archery sensoryfeedback system 50A that includes a release hand glove assembly 52A.Release hand glove assembly 52A includes glove 110, load sensor(s) 150and/or motion sensor(s) 170 and further includes computer processor 160,battery 156, and output device 166. Release hand glove assembly 52A alsoincludes a user interface 204 for inputting information to processor 160and memory 206 for storing the computer executable code and relevantdata. In this design, release hand glove assembly 52A is configured toperform all of the necessary functions of a mobile computer.

In other embodiments, it is appreciated that glove 110 of release handglove assembly 52 can have a variety of different configurationsdepending, in part, on the type and number of sensors used on the glove.For example, depicted in FIG. 11 is another alternative embodiment of arelease hand glove assembly 52B comprising a glove 110A. In general,glove 110A comprises glove 110 wherein unneeded parts have been removed.More specifically, glove 110A comprises thumb sleeve 122, index fingersleeve 123, middle finger sleeve 124 and ring finger sleeve 125 whichare all connected together by a pad cover 118A having a back face 119A.Pad cover 118A simply comprises a portion of back side 130 of pad cover118 (FIG. 6). Glove 110A further comprises a wrist strap 208 with padcover 118A, which can also be considered a tie, extending between thefinger sleeves and wrist strap. When worn, pad cover 118A extends over aportion of back side 74 of release hand 40. Load sensors 140, 142, 144,and 146 can be positioned on glove 110A in the same way and at the samelocation they were placed on glove 110. Motion sensors 170 can bepositioned on pad cover 118A. It is appreciated that a variety of otherglove configurations can also be used by removing select portions ofglove 110. For example, if thumb sensor 142 was not used then thumbsleeve 122 could be removed and if load sensor 140A was not used, ringfinger sleeve 125 could be removed.

As previously discussed with regard to FIG. 2, archery sensory feedbacksystem 50 can also comprise bow hand glove assembly 54 that is used inconjunction with or in place of release hand glove assembly 52. Depictedin FIG. 12 is one embodiment of bow hand glove assembly 54 whichcomprises a glove 110B. Glove 110B can be identical to glove 110 aspreviously discussed with regard to release hand glove assembly 52except that it is the opposite hand glove. For example, glove 110 ofrelease hand glove assembly 52 can be a left hand or right hand glovewhile glove 110B on bow hand glove 54 will be the opposite hand gloverelative to glove 110. Accordingly, like elements between gloves 110 and110B are identified by like reference characters and all priordiscussions of glove 110 including but not limited to composition,configuration, modifications, and alternative embodiments areincorporated into and are applicable to glove 110B.

Bow hand glove assembly 54 can also have one or more load sensors and/orone or more motion sensors mounted thereon. For example, bow hand gloveassembly 54 is depicted as comprising a load sensor 212 that ispositioned on front side 128 of pad cover 118 so that load sensoroverlays palm 72 of bow hand 38 when worn. Load sensor 212 can also bepositioned on interior surface 112, exterior surface 116 or betweenlayers of glove 110B. Load sensor 212 can also be the same alternativetypes of load sensors as previously discussed with regard to releasehand glove assembly 52. Other load sensors could also be positioned onglove 110B at other locations. For example, bow hand glove assembly 54could be provided with at least, less than or equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,or load sensors.

Load sensor 212 is positioned so that it can be used to determine theload applied to bow hand 38 during the shooting of arrow 14. Forexample, as depicted in FIG. 1, bow hand 38 grasps grip 22 of bow 12during the shooting of bow 12. Load sensor 212 is positioned so that asbow string 24 is retracted, the horizontal load created on bow 12 byretracting bow string 24, i.e., the load applied to bow hand 38, isapplied to load sensor 212 so that a value of the load can bedetermined.

Bow hand glove assembly 54 is also shown as having a motion sensor 170Adisposed on back side 130 of pad cover 118 and motion sensor 170Bdisposed on front side 128 of pad cover 118. Again, the motion sensors170 can comprise accelerometers, gyroscope sensors or other types ofmotion sensors as previously discussed with release hand glove assembly52. Motion sensors 170 can be used to determine movement properties ofbow hand 38, such as direction of movement, distance of movement,acceleration of movement, and angular rotation of bow hand 38 and anycombination of the foregoing. These measurements can be monitored duringretraction of bow string 24, during release of bow string 24 andfollowing release of bow string 24. Motion sensors can be positioned atany desired location on gloves 110B and can be located on interiorsurface 112, exterior surface 116 or between layers of glove 110B. Thenumber of motion sensors on glove 110B could be at least, less than orequal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more motion sensors.

Again, monitoring loads applied to bow hand 38 and movement of bow hand38 during the shooting of bow 12 and then analyzing those results orcomparing them to predetermined values can assist an archer in improvingaccuracy and consistency in shooting bow 12.

FIG. 13 is a schematic representation of archery sensory feedback system50 where system 50 comprises bow hand glove assembly 54 used incombination with mobile computer 56. Bow hand glove assembly 54 can havethe same electrical components, same modifications and be used in thesame way as release hand glove assembly 52 previously discussed. As suchlike elements between release hand glove assembly 52 and bow hand gloveassembly 54 are identified by like reference characters and the priordiscussion of configuration, modifications, alternative embodiments andoperation of release hand glove assembly 52 are incorporated into andare applicable to bow hand glove assembly 54.

For example, bow hand glove assembly 54 can comprise glove 110B whereload sensor(s) 150 can comprise load sensors 212 and/or other loadsensors disposed on glove 110B. Motion sensor(s) 170 can comprise motionsensors 170A, 170B, combinations thereof or other motion sensorsdisposed on glove 110B. Bow hand glove assembly 54 can also comprisecontroller 152 for processing signals from sensors 150 and 170 and abattery 156 for energizing the electrical components on glove 110B. Ahard wire connection 158 can connect controller 152 or mobile computer56. Alternatively, transmitter 154 can facilitate wireless communicationbetween controller 152 and mobile computer 56. Where desired, outputdevice 166 can be disposed on glove 110B.

Bow hand glove assembly 54 operates with mobile computer 56 the same wayrelease hand glove assembly 52 operates with mobile computer 56. Assuch, the prior discussion of the operation between release hand gloveassembly 52 and mobile computer 56 is applicable to and is incorporatedherein as discussion on operation between bow hand glove assembly 54 andmobile computer 56. Furthermore, the block flow diagram depicted in FIG.9 is also applicable to the use of bow hand glove assembly 54 exceptthat now the measured loads and motions in steps 184 and 198 are basedon measurements from sensors on bow hand glove assembly 54. As such, theprior discussion of the method of use of release hand glove assembly 52made in association with FIG. 9 is applicable to and is incorporatedherein as discussion of the method of use of bow hand glove assembly 54.

In the embodiment discussed above, archery sensory feedback system 50comprises bow hand glove assembly 54 used in association with mobilecomputer 56. In an alternative embodiment, however, the processingelements of mobile computer 56 could be implemented directly onto bowhand glove assembly 54 and thereby eliminate the need for mobilecomputer 56. For example, depicted in FIG. 14 is an archery sensoryfeedback system 50B that comprises a bow hand glove assembly 54A. Bowhand glove assembly 54A includes glove 110B, load sensor(s) 150 and/ormotion sensor(s) 170 and further includes computer processor 160,battery 156, and output device 166. Bow hand glove assembly 54A alsoincludes user interface 204 for inputting information to processor 160and memory 206 for storing the computer executable code and relevantdata. In this design, bow hand glove assembly 54A is configured toperform all of the necessary functions of mobile computer 56 and thusmobile computer 56 can be eliminated.

In other embodiments, it is appreciated that glove 110B of bow handglove assembly 54 can have a variety of different configurationsdepending, in part, on the type and number of sensors used on glove110B. For example, depicted in FIG. 15 is another alternative embodimentof a bow hand glove assembly 54B comprising a glove 110C. In general,glove 110C comprises glove 110B wherein unneeded parts have beenremoved. More specifically, glove 110C comprises a thumb sleeve 122Acovering a portion of thumb 65 and an index finger sleeve 123A coveringa portion of index finger 66. Sleeves 122A and 123A are connectedtogether by a pad cover 118C that includes a front side 128A thatextends over a portion of palm 72 (FIG. 3) of bow hand 38 and a backside 130B that extends over a portion of back side 74 of bow hand 38.Glove 110C further comprises a wrist strap 208. Pad cover 118A, whichcan also be considered a tie, extends between fingers sleeves 122A/123Aand wrist strap 208.

Load sensor 212 is positioned on front side 128 of glove 110C so as tooverlay at least a portion of palm 72 of bow hand 38. Load sensor 212and any other load sensors used can be disposed on glove 110C the sameway and location they are placed on glove 110B. One or more motionsensor 170A can be positioned on back side 130B of pad cover 118A or atother locations. It is appreciated that a variety of other gloveconfigurations can also be used by removing or adding select portions ofglove 110. For example, other finger sleeves could be added to glove110C. It is noted that glove 110C can also be referred to as afingerless glove in that all of the ends of the fingers remainuncovered. Furthermore, it is noted that the bow hand glove assembly canbe formed with no load sensors disposed on any finger sleeves thereofand can be formed so that when the bow hand glove assembly is worn onthe bow hand 38, no load sensors overlay any of fingers 64 of bow hand38.

In the above discussed embodiments, mobile computer 56 is shown as beingused with release hand glove assembly 52 or bow hand glove assembly 54.However, in other embodiments, archery sensory feedback system 50 cancomprise both release hand glove assembly 52 and bow hand glove assembly54 being used simultaneously with mobile computer 56. In otheralternative embodiments, it is appreciated that release hand gloveassembly 52 and bow hand glove assembly 54 can be eliminated and thecomponents thereof incorporated directly onto bow 12 or release aid 42.

For example, depicted in FIG. 16 is an archery sensory feedback system50C which comprises a bow assembly 238 and mobile computer 56. Bowassembly 238 includes a bow 12A and other electrical components asdiscussed below. Like elements between bows 12 and 12A are identified bylike reference characters. Bow 12A includes riser 20 and grip 22. Asdepicted in FIG. 17, grip 22 includes a front side 230 with a front face231 and an opposing back side 232 with a back face 233.

Bow assembly 238 also includes one or more load sensor(s) 212,previously discussed, disposed on back side 232. Load sensor(s) 212 ispositioned so that it can be used to determine the load applied to bowhand 38 during the shooting of bow 12A. That is, bow hand 38 grasps grip22 of bow 12A during the shooting of bow 12A. Load sensor(s) 212 ispositioned so that as bow string 24 is retracted, the horizontal loadcreated between bow hand 38 and grip 22 by retracting bow string 24 isapplied to and sensed by load sensor(s) 212. Other load sensors couldalso be applied to grip 22 such as on front side 230.

Bow assembly 238 further includes one or more motion sensors 170,previously discussed, applied to grip 22. Just as motion sensors 170were used on bow hand glove assembly 54 to determine movement of bowhand 38, motion sensor(s) 170 on grip 22 can be used to determinemovement of bow 12A which in turn relates to movement of bow hand 38.The one or more motion sensors 170 need not be placed on grip 22 butcould also be placed on riser 20 or some other location on bow 12A.

FIG. 18 is a schematic representation of archery sensory feedback system50C where system 50C comprises bow assembly 238 used in combination withmobile computer 56. Bow assembly 238 can have the same electricalcomponents, same modifications and be used in the same way as previouslydiscussed with bow hand glove assembly 54. As such, like elementsbetween bow hand glove assembly 54 and bow assembly 238 are identifiedby like reference characters and the prior discussion of configuration,modifications, alternative embodiments and operation of bow hand gloveassembly 54 are incorporated into and are applicable to bow assembly238.

For example, bow assembly 238 can comprise bow 12A where load sensor(s)150 comprise load sensor(s) 212 and/or other load sensors disposed onbow 12A. One or more motion sensor(s) 170 can also be disposed on bow12A. Bow assembly 238 can also comprise controller 152 for processingsignals from sensors 150 and 170 and a battery 156 for energizing theelectrical components. Controller 152 and battery 156 are positioned onbow 12A. A hard wire connection 158 can connect controller 152 or mobilecomputer 56. Alternatively, transmitter 154 disposed on bow 12A canfacilitate wireless communication between controller 152 and mobilecomputer 56. Where desired, output device 166 can be disposed on glove110B.

Bow assembly 238 operates with mobile computer 56 is the same way bowhand glove assembly 54 operates with mobile computer 56. As such, theprior discussion of the operation between bow hand glove assembly 54 andmobile computer 56 is applicable to and is incorporated herein asdiscussion for operation between bow assembly 238 and mobile computer56. Furthermore, the discussion with regard to the block flow diagramdepicted in FIG. 9 is also applicable to the use of bow assembly 238except that now the measured load and motions in steps 184 and 198 arebased on measurements from sensors on bow assembly 238. As such, theprior discussion of the method of use of release hand glove assembly 52made in association with FIG. 9 is applicable to and is incorporatedherein as discussion of the method of use of bow assembly 238.

Depicted in FIG. 19 is an archery sensory feedback system 50D whichcomprises a release aid assembly 240 and mobile computer 56. Release aidassembly 240 includes release aid 42 previously discussed with regard toFIG. 4 and other electrical components disposed thereon. Specifically,load sensors 140A-C are disposed on front face 90 of handle 88 ofrelease aid 42 within grooves 96-98, respectively. As such, fingers66-67 of release hand 40 overlay and press against load sensors 140A-Cas release hand grasps release aid assembly 240 and uses assembly toretract bow string 24. Accordingly, just as load sensors 140A-C disposedon release hand glove assembly 52 sense the load produced betweenfingers 66-67 and release aid 42 as bow string 24 is retracted, aspreviously discussed, load sensors 140A-C of release aid assembly 240also sense the load produced between fingers 66-67 and release aid 42 asbow string 24 is retracted.

Furthermore, load sensor 142 can be positioned on trigger 84 of releaseaid 42. Load sensor 142 is positioned to sense the load applied totrigger 84 as trigger 84 is depressed by thumb 65 of release hand 40during the shooting of bow 12. Other load sensors can also be positionedon release aid 42.

Release aid assembly 240 further includes one or more motion sensors170, previously discussed, applied to release aid 42. Just as motionsensors 170 were used on release hand glove assembly 52 to determinemovement of release hand 40, motion sensor(s) 170 on release aid 42 canbe used to determine movement of release aid 42 which in turn relates tomovement of release hand 40. The one or more motion sensors 170 can beplaced at any desired location on release aid 42. It is appreciated thatrelease aid assembly 240 can include only one or more load sensors, onlyone or more motion sensors, or both one or more load sensors and motionsensors.

FIG. 20 is a schematic representation of archery sensory feedback system50D where system 50 comprises release aid assembly 240 used incombination with mobile computer 56. Release aid assembly 240 can havethe same electrical components, same modifications and be used in thesame way as previously discussed with release hand glove assembly 52. Assuch like elements between release hand glove assembly 52 and releaseaid assembly 240 are identified by like reference characters and theprior discussion of configuration, modifications, alternativeembodiments and operation of release hand glove assembly 52 areincorporated into and are applicable to release aid assembly 240.

For example, release aid assembly 240 can release aid 42 where loadsensor(s) 150 comprise load sensor(s) 140 and 142 and/or other loadsensors disposed on bow 12A. One or more motion sensor(s) 170 can alsobe disposed on release aid 42. Release aid assembly 240 can alsocomprise controller 152 for processing signals from sensors 150 and 170and a battery 156 for energizing the electrical components. Controller152 and battery 156 are positioned on release aid 42. A hard wireconnection 158 can connect controller 152 to mobile computer 56.Alternatively, transmitter 154 disposed on release aid 42 can facilitatewireless communication between controller 152 and mobile computer 56.Where desired, output device 166 can be disposed on release aid 42.

Release aid assembly 240 operates with mobile computer 56 is the sameway release hand glove assembly 52 operates with mobile computer 56 aspreviously discussed. As such, the prior discussion of the operationbetween release hand glove assembly 52 and mobile computer 56 isapplicable to and is incorporated herein as discussion for operationbetween release aid assembly 240 and mobile computer 56. Furthermore,the discussion with regard to the block flow diagram depicted in FIG. 9is also applicable to the use of release aid assembly 240 except thatnow the measured load and motions in steps 184 and 198 are based onmeasurements from sensors on release aid assembly 240. As such, theprior discussion of the method of use of release hand glove assembly 52made in association with FIG. 9 is applicable to and is incorporatedherein as discussion of the method of use of release aid assembly 240.

The various archery sensory feedback systems discussed herein achieve anumber of unique benefits. For example, they enable an archer tocontinually track movement of the archer's release hand and/or bow handwhile shooting the bow. In addition, the archery sensory feedbacksystems enable an archer to continually track forces produced by or onthe archer's release hand and/or bow hand while shooting the bow. Suchforces can be tracked at multiple different locations on the hands andat different times during shooting of the bow. Select forces can also beisolated for analysis.

The foregoing sensing enables an archer to both know specific force andmovement values regarding their shooting of a bow and also enables themto track actual values and compare them to predetermined preferredvalues. This ability to compare enables an archer to isolate problemswith a shot and to repeatedly practice shots with the ability to ensurethat they are being performed properly. In view of the foregoing,embodiments of the inventive sensory feedback system enable an archer toaddress each of the problems raised in the background section herein.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicatedby the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Allchanges which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are to be embraced within their scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. An archery sensory feedback system for use with ahand of a user, the hand having a palm and fingers and having a frontside and an opposing back side, the system comprising: a gloveconfigured for placement on the hand of the user; at least one sensordisposed on the glove, the at least one sensor comprising a load sensoror a motion sensor that generates a use signal during use; a computerprocessor in electrical communication with the at least one sensor;non-transitory memory in electrical communication with the computerprocessor; and an output device in electrical communication with thecomputer processor and configured to generate a notice when activated;wherein the non-transitory memory is loaded with executable code thatwhen executed by the computer processor performs the followingfunctions: stores a predetermined value in the non-transitory memory;compares a value generated from the use signal produced by the at leastone sensor to the predetermined value; and transmits a notice signal tothe output device based on the comparison between the value generatedand the predetermined value.
 2. The archery sensory feedback system asrecited in claim 1, wherein the glove has finger sleeves that areconfigured to receive at least some of the fingers of the hand, the atleast one sensor comprising a load sensor disposed on a select one ofthe finger sleeves of the glove so as to overlay a select one of thefingers of the hand when the glove is worn on the hand.
 3. The archerysensory feedback system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least onesensor comprises a load sensor disposed on the glove so as to overlay atleast a portion of the back side of the hand when the glove is worn onthe hand.
 4. The archery sensory feedback system as recited in claim 1,wherein the at least one sensor comprises a load sensor disposed on theglove so as to overlay at least a portion of the palm of the hand whenthe glove is worn on the hand.
 5. The archery sensory feedback system asrecited in claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor comprises the motionsensor.
 6. The archery sensory feedback system as recited in claim 5,wherein the motion sensor comprises an accelerometer or a gyroscopesensor.
 7. The archery sensory feedback system as recited in claim 1,further comprising: a mobile computer that includes the computerprocessor and the non-transitory memory and is spaced apart from theglove; and a wireless transmitter disposed on the glove and configuredfor electrical communication with the mobile computer.
 8. The archerysensory feedback system as recited in claim 7, wherein the mobilecomputer comprises a smartphone.
 9. The archery sensory feedback systemas recited in claim 7, wherein the mobile computer includes the outputdevice.
 10. The archery sensory feedback system as recited in claim 7,wherein the output device is secured to the glove and is configured tobe in electrical communication with the mobile computer.
 11. The archerysensory feedback system as recited in claim 1, wherein the output devicecomprises a display, light source, vibrator, or sound generator.
 12. Thearchery sensory feedback system as recited in claim 1, wherein thepredetermined value is generated by the computer processor and is basedon one or more calibration signals produced by the at least one sensor.13. The archery sensory feedback system as recited in claim 12, whereinthe predetermined value is an average of a plurality of values that arebased on a plurality of calibration signals produced by the at least onesensor.
 14. An archery sensory feedback system for use with a hand of auser, the hand having a palm and fingers and having a front side and anopposing back side, the system comprising: a glove configured forplacement on the hand of the user, the glove having a front side that isdesigned to cover at least a portion of the palm of the hand when theglove is properly fitted on the hand; a first load sensor disposed onthe front side of the glove so that when the glove is worn on the handof the user, the first load sensor overlays at least a portion of thepalm of the hand; and an electronic controller disposed on the glove andbeing configured to process signals from the first load sensor.
 15. Thearchery sensory feedback system as recited in claim 14, wherein when theglove is worn on the hand of the user, no load sensors overlay any ofthe fingers of the hand.
 16. The archery sensory feedback system asrecited in claim 14, further comprising a motion sensor disposed on theglove.
 17. The archery sensory feedback system as recited in claim 14,wherein the motion sensor comprises an accelerometer or a gyroscopesensor.
 18. The archery sensory feedback system as recited in claim 14,further comprising a wireless transmitter disposed on the glove inelectrical communication with the controller.
 19. The archery sensoryfeedback system as recited in claim 14, wherein the glove comprises afingerless glove.
 20. The archery sensory feedback system as recited inclaim 14, further comprising an output device disposed on the glove, theoutput device comprising a display, light source, vibrator, or soundgenerator.
 21. An archery training method comprising: measuring a loadapplied to a bow hand holding a bow or applied to a release hand drawinga bow string of the bow, the measuring being performed while the bowstring is drawn to a cocked positioned for firing an arrow; comparingthrough a computer processor the measured load to a predetermined value;and activating an output device to generate a notice based on thecomparison between the measured load and the predetermined value. 22.The archery training method as recited in claim 21, wherein the step ofmeasuring the load comprises: securing a first load sensor to the bowhand so that the first load sensor is positioned over at least a portionof the palm of the bow hand; and using the first load sensor to measurethe load applied to the palm of the bow hand holding the bow while a bowstring is in the cocked position.
 23. The archery training method asrecited in claim 21, wherein the step of measuring the load comprisesusing a load sensor disposed on a grip of the bow to measure the loadapplied to the palm of the bow hand holding the bow while the bow stringis in the cocked position.
 24. The archery training method as recited inclaim 21, wherein the step of measuring the load comprises: securing asecond load sensor to the release hand so that the second load sensor ispositioned over one of the index finger, middle finger or ring finger ofthe release hand; and using the second load sensor to measure the loadapplied to the one of the index finger, middle finger or ring finger ofthe release hand produced by the bow string being in the cockedposition.
 25. The archery training method as recited in claim 21,wherein the step of measuring the load comprises using a load sensordisposed on an archery release aid engaging the bow string of the bow tomeasure the load applied to one of the index finger, middle finger orring finger of the release hand by the by the bow string being in thecocked position
 26. The archery training method as recited in claim 21,wherein the step of measuring the load comprises: securing a third loadsensor to a back side of the release hand, the back side of the releasehand being pressed against a face of the user when the bow string is inthe cocked position; and using the third load sensor to measure the loadapplied to the back side of the release hand as a result of the backside of the release hand being pressed against the face of the user whenthe bow string is in the cocked position.
 27. The archery trainingmethod as recited in claim 21, wherein the notice comprises a visual,audio, and/or tactile feedback.
 28. The archery training method asrecited in claim 21, wherein the predetermined value comprises a valuebased on a prior measured load applied to the bow hand or the releasehand while the bow string is in the cocked position.
 29. The archerytraining method as recited in claim 21, further comprising: measuring amovement of the bow hand or release hand while the bow string is beingdrawn to the cocked position or released from the cocked position; andcomparing through the computer processor the measured movement of thebow hand or the release hand to a predetermined value.
 30. The archerytraining method as recited in claim 29, wherein the step of measuringcomprises: securing an accelerometer or gyroscope sensor to the bow handor the release hand; and using the accelerometer or gyroscope sensor tomeasure movement of the bow hand or the release hand while the bowstring is being drawn to the cocked position or released from the cockedposition.
 31. An archery sensory feedback system comprising: an archerybow having a grip; at least one load sensor or motion sensor disposed onthe bow; and an electronic controller disposed on the bow and beingconfigured to process signals from the at least one load sensor ormotion sensor.
 32. The archery sensory feedback system as recited inclaim 31, comprising the at least one load sensor being disposed on thegrip of the bow.
 33. An archery sensory feedback system comprising: anarchery release aid configured for engaging and releasing a bow stringof a bow, the archery release aid comprising: a body having fingergrips; a catch disposed on the body and movable between a retentionposition and a release position; and a trigger disposed on the body, thetrigger engaging the catch such that movement of the trigger causes thecatch to move from the retention position to the release position; andat least one load sensor or motion sensor disposed on the archeryrelease aid.